Thermal imaging cameras are becoming more affordable

A thermal imaging camera is a specialist device that instantly shows the temperature of whatever it is being pointed at, with a resulting image using different colours to indicate differing temperatures of the item being viewed. They should not be confused with IR thermometers. An IR thermometer only takes a single ‘point’ measurement, which is then displayed on a screen as a number. A thermal imager can be thought of as many thousands of ‘IR thermometers’, all working in parallel, with each one showing a coloured dot according to temperature.

A thermal imager can be used to monitor almost anything, from the human body showing unusual temperatures that could indicate a health problem that requires further investigation; to detecting dampness and heat loss in parts of a building; to understanding thermal characteristics of anything that moves and creates friction. Each application has a thermal story to tell, which when interpreted correctly provides insight into how corrective actions and efficiencies can be made and managed in order to save money. Once the problem is solved a second ‘good’ thermal image can be taken and added to the documentation audit trail.

In one case a poorly installed washing machine on the third floor of a block of flats was leaking down the outside wall behind the plastic facia, causing dampness in the flats below. Without a thermal imager this would probably not be noticed until mould was growing inside, and even then the source would be baffling. Without the imager it could only be seen by erecting scaffolding and removing the entire plastic fascia until the source of the leak could be located. In another example, a company’s fuseboard had a particular circuit that drew more current than it was rated for. This caused overheating, but not enough to trip the fuse/circuit breaker. A visual inspection would reveal nothing, but if left without attention it could have led to a fire with catastrophic results.

A thermal imager means you can diagnose faults before they become expensive problems and know exactly what needs to be fixed without invasive investigation. However, choose a product carefully, such as a Keysight TrueIR from Aspen Electronics, who can advise and provide a demonstration or a loan unit so that you can ‘try before you buy’.